I loved the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional last night. Listening to it always puts me in the right frame of mind and heart for Christmas. If you missed it you can watch the broadcast here.
I was especially touched by Elder Eyring’s talk and his recollections of a Christmas that he worked hard to create a very special “Family Treasure Box” for his wife.
Elder Erying got emotional about how he, along with the help of skilled friends, lovingly crafted this unique box for his wife. He carved one panel of the box with his wife’s initial and the other panel with his initial. The box can only be opened by using two different keys, the one above his initial and the one above her initial.
He said that the box (which is now filled with family pictures and sheet music) is a reminder to them of their love for one another and for the Savior, whose sacrifice makes eternal marriages and families possible.
I was very touched by the evident love and feeling that Elder Eyring had for the gift he gave his wife and absolutely love the beautiful symbolism he wove into it.
I am not sure if this box was made before Elder Packer gave this amazing talk about the roles of men and women in 1993, but I couldn’t help but see the parallels between Elder Eyring’s “Family Treasure Chest” and the parable that Elder Packer gave at the end of his talk.
I am posting the parable here, in case you have never read it before. I think it is one of the best explanations of the different stewardships men and women have and how God expects us to work together– in marriage and in His kingdom. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this was the inspiration behind Elder Eyring’s box!
“Once
a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told,
would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key
was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He
was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were
stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his
inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it
would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He
would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and
joy would increase.The
man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to
unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there
were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter
how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given
the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed
instructions, but he could not open the safe.In
due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It
was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other
lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful
inheritance without her.They
made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as
instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would
watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the
vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was
safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both.
Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They
rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.With
great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their
children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last
generation.Perhaps
some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed
the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants
relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments,
they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.There
came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or
jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one.
“Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to
use as I desire?”Some
tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key.
Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that
the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and
their inheritance was lost.Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity.” (Boyd K. Packer, “For Time and all Eternity”, Ensign, 1993.)
It's funny, I wrote about this same parable earlier this year 🙂 http://empoweringldswomen.blogspot.com/2012/03/complementary-keys.html.
p.s. If Elder Eyering is interpreting the parable with his box gift, I do like that it is opened by one key each!
Thanks kels, I missed that post! I LOVED LOVED LOVED the comment that Becca gave at the end of your post. I want to post it here because I think it clears up a bit of the misconception of men having "more" keys than women. She said:
"Also, as a mathematician I will tell you unequivocally that 2 is not always more than 1. Which makes sense when you view the keys in the parable as the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. Think of that old trick you play on little kids where you tell them you will give them two shiny quarters for their paper dollar. Most small children will go for it, because to them 2 is always more than 1. But a child that grasps the concept of the actual value of the piece of money will understand that you are trying to cheat them.
Of course, men don't have two quarters, they have two fifty cent pieces, because our keys and stewardships are equal."
I thought of the same talk when he talked about the two keys needed to open the chest. I love the symbolism of that too. I'm glad you reposted it.
I too loved the symbolism. It was so very sweet. And I appreciated the fact that he really thought about his gift and then represented doctrines in his artistry. I also appreciated his comments during conference where he discussed making wood boards for his children illustrating their special gifts that he saw as their father. Such a work from the heart!
I also thought of that parable, as I was looking at that awesome treasure chest!
Thanks for posting Elder Packer's parable. I've never read it before. I'll have to spend some time pondering it though. I sense I'm not grasping all the symbolism.